“Figured if you give something to the driver that their wives would like, then it’s going to be in a prominent place in their home.”

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell revealed the logic behind one of NASCAR’s most unique and cherished prizes – the Martinsville Speedway Grandfather Clock. The track founder, Clay Earles, didn’t just want a trophy; he wanted a tradition.

Since 1964, this towering, handcrafted timepiece has stood as a symbol of dominance at the half-mile “Paperclip.” Drivers don’t just race for points or prize money at Martinsville; they race for NASCAR’s rich heritage. From Richard Petty to Jimmie Johnson, legends have proudly displayed this clock in their homes. But how did this tradition start, and what makes it so special?

Let’s dive into the legacy of Martinsville’s most famous prize.

The origins of the Grandfather Clock: Martinsville chronicles

The year is 1947. Martinsville Speedway has just opened its gates as one of NASCAR’s first paved tracks, built with a vision by founder Clay Earles. From the very beginning, Earles wanted Martinsville to be special. He wanted it to be more than just another stop on the schedule. However, it wasn’t until 17 years later, in 1964, that the track found its distinguishing factor. A trophy that would stand the test of time. Thus, the Grandfather Clock tradition began and has since become a cherished prize for drivers across all series.

Earles collaborated with Ridgeway Clocks, a local company just three miles from the track, to create a full-sized Grandfather Clock that would stand out as both a trophy and a functional piece of furniture. Fred Lorenzen became the first driver to take home this unique prize after winning the Old Dominion 500 in 1964.

Other drivers who have added the Grandfather Clock to their collection include legends like Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson. The tradition quickly became one of the most coveted in NASCAR, symbolizing more than just a race win. It represented endurance, skill, and a place in Martinsville’s storied history.

Fun fact: Did you know that the clock chimes every 15 minutes as a constant reminder of the winner’s hard-fought success?

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The tradition expanding over motorsports

Richard ‘The King’ Petty has won the most number of Grandfather Clocks at Martinsville. Although he won 15 times, he only has 12 Grandfather Clocks in his collection. This is because his three wins came before the tradition began. “And it’s always been kind of a standing joke through all of the clocks he has in all the various rooms of his house, that it must be pretty noisy over there every 15 minutes,” Clay Campbell recollects with laughter.

While the trophy was earlier awarded to only Cup Series winners, the tradition expanded over the years. Now, it is handed to the winners of the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and even late model and modified races. The decision to expand its distribution reflects how difficult it is to win at Martinsville, where drivers face grueling 500-lap battles on a track that demands precision and patience.

As Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell noted,

“We got to thinking, it’s so important and so difficult to win here, we ought to give it to every race winner, whether it be modified, late model, trucks, Xfinity Series, so now everybody gets it.”

Beyond its symbolism, the Grandfather Clock has practical value and sentimental significance for drivers. Many winners proudly display it in their homes or garages as a centerpiece of their achievements. Joey Logano’s Team Penske famously ordered 40 additional clocks for crew members after his win in 2018. This underscores the fact that it is significant not just to drivers but also to their teams.

In a sport filled with unique prizes, from live lobsters at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to gladiator swords at Bristol, the Martinsville Grandfather Clock stands out as both timeless and deeply rooted in tradition. It embodies perseverance, skill, and the legacy of NASCAR’s oldest short track.

As drivers prepare for this weekend’s Cook Out 400, the allure of adding this coveted prize to their collection will undoubtedly fuel fierce competition on the track. Tune in to Sunday’s NASCAR races from Martinsville Speedway to see who will take home the clocks this time. See you there!